Do you think that maybe some added muscle mass could've kept the scale even while losing bodyfat? Especially now since the rep range has lowered and your intensity has risen?

If not, the 200 cals is a good idea. A small change like that will go a long way!

I thought about, but with the amount of fat I am still holding I should still be seeing the weight moving downwards. I don't plan on going below 2000 calories no matter what as I am not gearing up for a competition or anything and want to preserve as much muscle as possible.

The small reduction in calories seems to have broken the plateau I have been having on the scale as I weighed in this morning at 207 even. Not having that small 7th meal has enabled me to hit the sack a little earlier which has also left me feeling a little more rested. So as of date I am down 10 lbs and from what I can tell, I can't see any noticeable muscle loss.

The plan is still to take this diet out to Thanksgiving after which I will decide what I want to do, whether that be continuing to cut before my winter bulk (nothing like jumping from one extreme to the next) or maybe following a modified cut diet that is a little more lenient. Either way I am happy with the results thus far.

First off I apologize for not updating my journal, things haven been really hectic at work and in my personal life but I was able to stick to the diet. These last two weeks the reps and sets were bumped to a 6x6 protocol using the same weights from before.

This last week I took it a little easier on the cardio and only did it 3 times a week for 45 mins as I am starting to get burnt out on it. Energy has been fine but I have been doing the cardio for around 3 months now so its starting to get really boring. I also ran into a problem with my right wrist which has really caused me some pain during the bench press exercises. Some of the last sets on the flat bench were really killing me so its been hard to get through them.

As of this morning my weight was 206 lbs upon first waking up. I plan on taking the diet out one more week and then taking the week of Thanksgiving off of training except for cardio, trying to remain as good as I can nutrition wise. My body could use the rest anyhow. During that week I will decide if I want to continue cutting some more or switch to a more standard nutrition protocol. I have been eyeing jumping into the DFHT 5x5 to gain back some of the strength that I have lost on my core lifts. Seeing the guys in the gym bulking for the winter and doing deads is starting to make me jealous.

Well after a week off of training during thanksgiving I decided that I am going to stop following the cut diet plan as it was starting to get into the final weeks of show preperation (which I am not doing). Sticking to the same routine for three months is starting to wear on me a little bit so its time to move on.

Over the course of 12 weeks I have gone from 217 lbs to 205 lbs for a total of 12 lbs of weightloss. If you consider that I was averaging 1 lbs of weightloss a week I would say that the diet worked perfectly. I am very happy with the results and how well I was able to stick to the diet. I have not noticed very much muscle loss so the diet delievered as promised.

On similiar note I have decided that I want to continue getting leaner instead of going straight into a bulk. To help me do this I have hired Chuck to write me a personalized diet plan and workout. This will be more of a lifestyle diet which enables you alot more food choices (there are tons of them actually) and the ability to have a personal life without completely ruining your diet. We are also looking to add some LBM at the same time, so hopefully everything goes well.